State Prog Admin Coordinator / Senior Assistant Advocate

Working Title: Senior Assistant Advocate
Job Class: State Program Administrator, Coordinator
Agency: Revenue Dept

• Who May Apply: This vacancy is open for bids and for all qualified job seekers simultaneously. Bidders will be considered through 01/30/2024.
• Date Posted: 01/24/2024
• Closing Date: 02/07/2024
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Revenue Dept / Revenue (inc Assessors)-MAPE
• Division/Unit: Commissioner's Office / Taxpayer Rights Advocate Off
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $35.13 - $52.25 / hourly; $73,351 - $109,098 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

Telework is available and negotiated at the time of hire. There may be periodic in office requirements as directed by management. The employee will be required to complete a telework agreement.

Assist with some of the most interesting and challenging tax controversies that Revenue encounters, while delivering equity-first results for Minnesota taxpayers!

The Taxpayer Rights Advocate Office is an independent office within the Department of Revenue. The Advocate reports directly to the commissioner of Revenue. If one has trouble resolving a tax issue with the Department of Revenue and has exhausted all other administrative remedies, the Taxpayer Rights Advocate Office may be able to help explain the options available.

As a Senior Assistant Advocate (SAA), you will skillfully balance technical knowledge with a deep understanding of tax laws and department policies. The Senior Assistant Advocate is the highest technical resource of the TRA Office.

This role is critical because it handles sensitive taxpayer cases and demands with exceptional customer service. Acting as both a mediator and an advocate, the SAA ensures fairness and consistency in the application of tax laws.

Effective collaboration and clear communication are key, as the SAA liaises with a variety of stakeholders, fostering trust and maintaining transparency. Creativity is also essential, as the role often requires innovative solutions in situations where existing guidelines may not apply.

Ultimately, the SAA helps to shape the TRA Office's work as a fair and independent voice for taxpayers, contributing to the Department of Revenue's mission to apply tax laws with impartiality and transparency.

Teleworking employees are required to live in Minnesota or in a state bordering Minnesota.

Minimum Qualifications

• Four (4) years of professional experience representing taxpayers, preparing tax returns, or working in tax compliance or administration.*

• Bachelor's degree in a closely related field as determined by the agency may substitute one (1) year of experience; master’s degree substitutes for eighteen (18) months of experience; juris doctor, an enrolled agent, or a certificate in public accounting substitutes for twenty-four (24) months of experience.

• Prior demonstrated experience advocating in underrepresented populations in a professional or volunteer capacity.
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing change.

Applicants who meet the above experience requirements will be further evaluated at interview based on the following:

• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to identify, evaluate, negotiate, and resolve critical issues.
• Experience with MS office suite or comparable software, especially Microsoft SharePoint and Excel.
• Strong teamwork skills, including willingness and ability to consult with subject matter experts from operational teams within the organization.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build collaborative relationships and to influence/negotiate positive outcomes with internal and external partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrate exceptional interpersonal and cross-cultural competency, embracing open-mindedness and maintaining neutrality.
• Ability to articulate intricate tax-related concerns to diverse stakeholders, translating intricate statutory language into lay terms suitable for both professionals and the general populace.
• Desire and ability to innovate and improve upon processes.
• Experience exhibiting judgment on complex and ambiguous issues, fostering collaboration among leaders, teams, and stakeholders.
• Ability to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace and work with individuals from all background, with the experience of creating a work environment where differences are valued, encouraged, and supported.
• Experience leading organization-wide operational planning efforts and establishing process timelines and deliverables.

Physical Requirements

Sitting for long periods at a time, occasional moving of articles such as boxes, hard copy files, and laptop computer.

Additional Requirements

Prior to an offer of employment, a background check will be conducted. This will include, but is not limited to, checking degrees and licensures, criminal history, and tax filing and payment history. All individual income tax filing and payment obligations must be current prior to interviewing for this position.

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

If you have questions about the position, contact Shawna Tienter at shawna.tienter@state.mn.us or 651-556-3261.

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Shawna Tienter at shawna.tienter@state.mn.us.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for this interview and/or testing process, please contact the Department of Revenue ADA Coordinator at revenue.eai@state.mn.us.

About Revenue Dept

The Minnesota Department of Revenue works to fund the future for all of Minnesotans. We manage over 30 different taxes and collect $26.7 billion annually in state taxes, which funds State Programs such as healthcare, transportation, public safety, and early childhood, K-12, and higher education.

Revenue is dedicated to an inclusive work environment that celebrates and values the diversity of each employee and reflects the communities we serve. We're committed to a culture of inclusion where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work and thrive.

We value a work life balance for our employees, and many of our employees telework in a full or hybrid capacity. For those that come to the office, regularly or occasionally, we invested in a state-of-the-art hybrid workspace located at the Stassen building in St. Paul.

Find out more about us on our website.

Why Work for Us

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Public pension plan
• Training and professional development
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays each year
• Paid parental leave
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Dependent care spending account
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and indicate what assistance is needed.